Rue Yim did not feel the transition.
One moment—
Light.
The next—
Weight.
Real.
Ground beneath her feet.
Air pressing against her lungs.
The world—
Holding.
She inhaled sharply.
"This one…"
Her voice trailed.
Because this world—
Felt different.
Not stable.
Not safe.
But—
Denser.
Less hollow.
As if something inside it—
Still resisted.
Her steps slowed.
Careful.
Measured.
Because now—
Now she knew what to look for.
Not faces.
Not memories.
But presence.
Something that pushed back.
Something that existed.
She moved through the space.
A battlefield.
Broken.
Ash drifting in the air.
Weapons scattered.
Bodies—
Too many.
Her chest tightened.
But she didn't stop.
Didn't look at them.
Because she already knew.
Most of them—
Would be empty.
Then—
She felt it.
A pull.
Not strong.
But undeniable.
Her breath caught.
"There."
She turned.
And saw him.
Ye Jing-e.
Standing alone.
White hair catching faint light.
Unmoving.
But not empty.
